Systems and methods to remotely synchronize digital data

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are exemplary systems and methods for a “Social Cam” which is a multiple remote picture synchronization tool. Exemplary embodiments may include receiving a name of an event, a list of users, and a template, receiving from a plurality of remote computing devices digital data, each of the remote computing device associated with a user on the list of users, compositing the digital data onto the template, notifying the plurality of remote computing devices about the composited digital data and providing the plurality of remote computing devices with access to the composited digital data.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. Non-Provisionalapplication Ser. No. 13/857,994, filed on Apr. 6, 2013, titled “Systemand Methods of Synchronizing Program Reproduction on MultipleGeographically Remote Display Systems” which is hereby incorporated byreference in entirety, including all references and appendices citedtherein. This application is also a continuation in part of U.S.Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/857,995, filed on Apr. 6, 2013,titled “System and Methods of Communicating between MultipleGeographically Remote Sites to Enable a Shared, Social ViewingExperience” which is hereby incorporated by reference in entirety,including all references and appendices cited therein. This applicationalso claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 62/336,505, filed on May 13, 2016, titled “Method to RemotelySynchronize Photos” which is hereby incorporated by reference inentirety, including all references and appendices cited therein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to the remote synchronization ofdigital data.

SUMMARY

According to some exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure isdirected to a method for remote synchronization of digital data,including receiving a name of an event, a list of users, and a template,receiving from a plurality of remote computing devices digital data,each of the remote computing device associated with a user on the listof users, compositing the digital data onto the template, notifying theplurality of remote computing devices about the composited digital dataand providing the plurality of remote computing devices with access tothe composited digital data. Further methods include transmitting thedigital data as a stream from each of the plurality of remote computingdevices and the stream comprising digital data automatically captured byeach of the plurality of remote computing devices after receiving atriggering signal. Additionally, the triggering signal may be initiatedby one of the plurality of the remote computing devices and the digitaldata may be transmitted as a plurality of digital data images.

Additional methods include capturing audio digital data, compositing ofthe digital data onto the template within a predefined time limit,identifying a remote computing device unable to transmit the digitaldata within the predefined time limit and adjusting computing resourcesavailable to the identified remote computing device so that it cantransmit the digital data within the predefined time limit. Alsoincluded is transmitting the composited digital data to a public displaydevice and transmitting the captured audio digital data to a publicaddress system. Methods may include continuing to transmit newlyreceived audio digital data after the compositing and/or where thereceived audio digital data is associated with a performing entity atthe event. A volume or a magnitude of the received audio digital datamay be represented on the public address system.

Further methods may include the event being live and being viewed ontelevision by the user on the list of users and transmitting thecomposited digital data to the live event. Additionally, thetransmitting may be to a public display device at the live event and thepublic display device is viewable on the television by the user on thelist of users. Moreover, the template may include content related to thelive event. The transmitting of content from the live event may be madeto the plurality of remote computing devices. The digital data may alsocomprise three to nine seconds of video digital data or may be a seriesof images displayed sequentially as a live picture. Additionally, thetemplate may be dynamic and/or include an advertisement.

In some exemplary embodiments, a Bluetooth low energy signal mayactivate a program on a personal digital assistant to trigger a SocialCam. Also, content associated with the event may be included with thecomposited digital data. The Bluetooth low energy signal may alsoactivate a secure key on the program evidencing a copyright license to auser for recording a portion of the event. The composited digital datamay be printed or downloaded onto a thumb drive.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the present technology are illustrated by theaccompanying figures. It will be understood that the figures are notnecessarily to scale. It will be understood that the technology is notnecessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of exemplary actors in the Social Cameraenvironment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary background picture.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary “pose with your friends” example.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary “pose with your hero” example.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an exemplary newborn example.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an exemplary wedding example.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an exemplary pregame yell screen.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of an exemplary game yell screen.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an exemplary composited digital data.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary flow chart for a method of using the Social Camin real-time.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary flow chart for a method of using the Social Camoff-line

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Internet has changed everything. Users all belong to a distributedcommunity. Users manage friendships through social networks. Users usethe Internet to leave a trail of their existence. Most users enjoy ashared memory, online. Today, more than ever, pictures are the best andmost used tool to share experiences.

Space is not the limit anymore. To the contrary, time has beenstretched. Real-time rules. Users are happy when the first LIKE is addedto a post, and users are nervous when they have to wait for suchacknowledgement.

In this new world, where time and space have been bended by socialnetworks, users share experiences more than ever. And the experiencesusers share tend to be remote experiences:

Users watch TV with a tablet in their lap.

Users attend online courses with remote classmates.

Users belong to the same gaming community.

Users chat on social networks through their smartphones, and much more.

In this new world, every second people create and share memories. Notthat long ago, on Facebook, for example, 250 million pictures wereuploaded daily. On Instagram, 4 million pictures were uploaded daily,which triggered 100 comments each. Instagram was acquired by Facebookfor one billion dollars, and Instagram was just an app to shoot andshare pictures.

Despite this enormous activity, all of the picture sharing is based onpictures that are not “shared.” Everybody can share their own picture,but this never represents a memory of a shared experience, such as ashared experience of friends who are geographically spread across theplanet.

Provided herein is a tool that allows people to share a commonexperience, even if they are physically in different locations. A toolthat creates a single picture by combining a set of pictures, eachpicture taken by a different individual on their camera. A truly sharedpicture. This tool enables a new way of sharing experiences online,which has key applications in many areas, including targetedadvertising.

The “Social Cam” or multiple remote picture synchronization tool, is theanswer to the evolution of internet social behaviors. It is extremelyrelevant to build more precise networks of user relations. The exemplaryembodiments described herein solve the multiple remote picturesynchronization problem.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of exemplary actors in the Social Cameraenvironment.

Shown in environment 100 are user devices 105 through X, and network120.

Multiple remote users connect via different devices to shoot picturesthrough the camera on their device. A cloud service controls theinteraction of the different devices. The devices include, for example,but are not limited to:

Mobile phones.

Tablets.

Laptop and desktop personal computers with embedded cameras.

Televisions with embedded cameras.

Point and shoot connected cameras.

Picture frames with embedded cameras.

The “Social Cam” or multiple remote picture synchronization tool workson virtually any device with a camera and that has the capability toconnect to a network. Network connectivity may be on a local areanetwork (“LAN”) or the Internet, via a wired or wireless connection(e.g. Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G, satellite, etc.).

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary background picture.

Shown in background picture 200 are three rectangles marked “SF” wheredigital data, such as images may be composited.

According to exemplary embodiments, creating the perfect “context” forshared experiences includes an event, a list of users and a template. Insome exemplary embodiments, the event is a reason why users would liketo have a shared memory (e.g. a baseball game or a private party). Theusers participate in the event, either in person (e.g. a wedding) orremotely (e.g. a baseball game watched in front of each user's TV). Theusers can be considered as actors in taking a picture and creating acollage, which can be shared later. The visual template, such as thatshown in FIG. 2 represents the background of the picture collage. It isa picture with “holes”, which are filled by parts of the pictures takenby each user.

As shown in FIG. 2, this example is based on a background image (whichpotentially could be provided by a television network in near real time)with a pre-defined set of shaped holes to hold the pictures of all ofthe Social Cam users. According to various exemplary embodiments, acloud service adds to the final picture specific information linked tothe event that the users are experiencing. In the baseball game example,it could mean the time when the picture was taken, the teams playing,the final score and additional information.

In various exemplary embodiments, Social Cam pictures are “live”,changing with time. For example, a picture from a baseball game couldkeep showing the real-time game score and then update itself with thefinal score, when the game is over.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary “pose with your friends” example.

Shown in the “pose with your friends” example 300 are dark silhouetteswhere digital data, such as images may be composited.

As shown in FIG. 3, a slightly advanced version of the template allowsusers to be included in the final shared picture by “fitting aparticular hole”. Every user is assigned (randomly, by choice of theinitiator of the event, or by the individual choice) a specific shapewhich they will have to try to match with their camera.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary “pose with your hero” example.

Shown in the “pose with your hero” example 400 are two blurred faces oneither side of the hero 405 where digital data, such as images may becomposited.

Other preset templates may be prepared by sponsors who own the rights tothe image.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an exemplary newborn example.

Shown in the newborn example 500 are spots 510 through X where digitaldata, such as images may be composited.

In this example, the newborn is surrounded by a tree of “connected”love, and this tree is colored and takes shape according to the numberof people that are included in the picture.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an exemplary wedding example. Shown in thewedding example 600 are spots where digital data, such as images may becomposited. Here, all of the friends join in the celebration with apicture. Additionally, the wedding example 600 may be mounted on anobject.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an exemplary pregame yell screen.

Shown on pregame yell screen 700 are four users via their respectivesocial cam devices preparing to yell while connected to a cloud service.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of an exemplary game yell screen.

Shown on game yell screen 800 is a “3-2-1 Yell NOW” countdown.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an exemplary composited digital data.

Shown on template 900 are various pictures forming a heart shape.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the “Social Cam” or themultiple remote picture synchronization tool operates under twodifferent scenarios: real-time and off-line.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary flow chart for a method 1000 of using the SocialCam in real-time. In the real-time scenario, all users are connected atthe same time (for example, in a chat).

At step 1005, all users in a group connect their respective devices to acloud service.

At step 1010, one of the users triggers the Social Cam feature on theirdevice by selecting a specific template (which could be shared or hiddenfrom the other users). The device of the user triggering the featurewill request a Social Cam activity to the cloud service.

At step 1015, the cloud service notifies all of the other user devicesin a group that a Social Cam event is about to happen.

At step 1020, on all of the user devices in the group, at the same time,the Social Cam feature will be activated. Alternatively, a request for aSocial Cam event will be visually perceptible on all of the user devicesin the group. In this case, only the devices of the users accepting theSocial Cam event will be involved in the event.

At step 1025, a countdown will be triggered by the cloud service on eachuser device in the group.

At step 1030, a picture is taken simultaneously on all of the userdevices in the group.

At step 1035, the template (from step 1010) is used to compose the finalSocial Cam picture, which can be shared or hidden from the other usersin the group. Users with access to the Social Cam picture will be ableto save it or share it via email, social networks, upload on photo sitesand so on. Third party services can be integrated to allow printing (onpaper, on clothing or on objects) or 3D printing of the Social Campicture.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary flow chart for a method 1100 of using the SocialCam off-line. With off-line synchronization, not all of the users areconnected at the same time. They might have participated at the sameevent (for example, watching a game) at different times. Some of theuser devices might still be connected to the event, some of the userdevices might have left the event.

At step 1105, one of the users in the group of users triggers the SocialCam feature on their respective device, selecting a specific template(which could be shared or hidden from the other users).

At step 1110, the device of the user triggering the Social Cam featurerequests a Social Cam event to a cloud service.

At step 1115, the cloud service notifies all of the other user devicesin the group that a Social Cam event is about to happen.

At step 1120, the devices of the users in the group that are notconnected to the cloud service are notified. If in response to thenotification a user in the group activates their device, they will beable to participate in a real-time Social Cam event. If a user does notactivate their device, they will still be able to add to the grouppicture at a later time.

At step 1125, the devices of the users in the group that are connectedto the cloud service, will activate the Social Cam feature.

Alternatively, a request for a Social Cam event can be visualized on theuser devices in the group. In this case, only the devices of the usersaccepting the Social Cam event will be involved in the event. For thoseusers who do not accept the Social Cam event, the Social Cam will beavailable at a later time. According to some exemplary embodiments, theSocial Cam event has an “expiration date”, after which it will not bepossible for the invited users to add to their picture.

At step 1130, each of the devices of the users in the group that areconnected and not connected to the cloud service receive a countdown.

At step 1135, a picture is simultaneously taken on all of the userdevices that are connected to the cloud service, and all of the users inthe group that are not connected to the cloud service will be allowed toadd to the picture when they connect.

At step 1140, the template is used to compose the final Social Campicture, which can be shared or hidden from the other users. Users withaccess to the Social Cam picture may save it or share it via email,social networks, upload on photo sites and so on. Third party servicesmay be integrated to allow printing (on paper, on clothing or onobjects) or 3D printing of the Social Cam picture.

One issue with remote synchronization is the timing of thesynchronization, in order to make sure the pictures are all taken at thesame time, without adding delays for individual users that are on aslower network. In some exemplary environments, the cloud service sendseach user device in a group a ping command to evaluate the time neededby the cloud service to reach each user device in the group. The delaywill then be used by the cloud service to properly time the photoshooting, to make sure it happens at the same exact time (or as close aspossible). Considering that the time to transport the command “shootnow” over a network is measured in milliseconds, it should have a closeto zero delay in most cases. This feature therefore generates aperfectly synced experience, which might be useful in some cases (e.g.when a home run is hit in a baseball game).

In exemplary further embodiments, additional features of the Social Caminclude pick the best shot. This is where a user takes multiple shots insequence, then picks the best picture. This would remove the surprisedfacial effect, and allow individual users to be more satisfied of thefinal result.

In exemplary further embodiments, additional features of the Social Caminclude geotagging. Geotagging allows the Social Cam to extract thelocation of a user device (via GPS or other means), when available andauthorized by the user. This information could be used to enhance thefinal Social Cam picture, including the location in the world of eachparticipant. This would create the ability to put individual pictures ona map and more.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present technology has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the present technology in the form disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the presenttechnology. Exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order tobest explain the principles of the present technology and its practicalapplication, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art tounderstand the present technology for various embodiments with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Aspects of the present technology are described above with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of thepresent technology. It will be understood that each block of theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations ofblocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can beimplemented by computer program instructions. These computer programinstructions may be provided to a processor of a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, or other programmable dataprocessing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions,which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmabledata processing apparatus, create means for implementing thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present technology. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

In the description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation,specific details are set forth, such as particular embodiments,procedures, techniques, etc. in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent toone skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced inother embodiments that depart from these specific details.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, theappearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” or“according to one embodiment” (or other phrases having similar import)at various places throughout this specification are not necessarily allreferring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more embodiments. Furthermore, depending on the context ofdiscussion herein, a singular term may include its plural forms and aplural term may include its singular form. Similarly, a hyphenated term(e.g., “on-demand”) may be occasionally interchangeably used with itsnon-hyphenated version (e.g., “on demand”), a capitalized entry (e.g.,“Software”) may be interchangeably used with its non-capitalized version(e.g., “software”), a plural term. may be indicated with or without anapostrophe (e.g., PE's or PEs), and an italicized term (e.g., “N+1”) maybe interchangeably used with its non-italicized version (e.g., “N+1”).Such occasional interchangeable uses shall not be consideredinconsistent with each other.

Also, some embodiments may be described in terms of “means for”performing a task or set of tasks. It will be understood that a “meansfor” may be expressed herein in terms of a structure, such as aprocessor, a memory, an I/O device such as a camera, or combinationsthereof. Alternatively, the “means for” may include an algorithm that isdescriptive of a function or method step, while in yet other embodimentsthe “means for” is expressed in terms of a mathematical formula, prose,or as a flow chart or signal diagram.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended. toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

If any disclosures are incorporated herein by reference and suchincorporated disclosures conflict in part and/or in whole with thepresent disclosure, then to the extent of conflict, and/or broaderdisclosure, and/or broader definition of terms, the present disclosurecontrols. If such incorporated disclosures conflict in part and/or inwhole with one another, then to the extent of conflict, the later-dateddisclosure controls.

The terminology used herein can imply direct or indirect, full orpartial, temporary or permanent, immediate or delayed, synchronous orasynchronous, action or inaction. For example, when an element isreferred to as being “on,” “connected” or “coupled” to another element,then the element can be directly on, connected or coupled to the otherelement and/or intervening elements may be present, including indirectand/or direct variants. In contrast, when an element is referred to asbeing “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element,there are no intervening elements present. The description herein isillustrative and not restrictive. Many variations of the technology willbecome apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of thisdisclosure.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. The descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention to the particular forms set forth herein. To the contrary, thepresent descriptions are intended to cover such alternatives,modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and otherwiseappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the breadth andscope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of theabove-described exemplary embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for remote synchronization of digitaldata, the method comprising: receiving a name of an event, a list ofusers, and a template; receiving from a plurality of remote computingdevices digital data, each of the remote computing devices associatedwith a user on the list of users; compositing the digital data onto thetemplate; notifying the plurality of remote computing devices about thecomposited digital data; and providing the plurality of remote computingdevices with access to the composited digital data.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the digital data is transmitted as a stream from eachof the plurality of remote computing devices.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein the stream comprises digital data automatically captured by eachof the plurality of remote computing devices after receiving atriggering signal.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the triggeringsignal is initiated by one of the plurality of the remote computingdevices.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital data istransmitted as a plurality of digital data images.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising capturing audio digital data.
 7. The methodof claim 1, further comprising the compositing of the digital data ontothe template within a predefined time limit.
 8. The method of claim 7,further comprising identifying a remote computing device unable totransmit the digital data within the predefined time limit and adjustingcomputing resources available to the identified remote computing deviceso that it can transmit the digital data within the predefined timelimit.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting thecomposited digital data to a public display device.
 10. The method ofclaim 6, further comprising transmitting the captured audio digital datato a public address system.
 11. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising continuing to transmit newly received audio digital dataafter the compositing.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the newlyreceived audio digital data is associated with a performing entity atthe event.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein a volume or a magnitudeof the newly received audio digital data is represented on the publicaddress system.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the event is live andbeing viewed on television by a user on the list of users.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising transmitting the compositeddigital data to the live event.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein thetransmitting is to a public display device at the live event.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the public display device is viewable on thetelevision by the user on the list of users.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein the template includes content related to the live event.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, further comprising transmitting content from thelive event to the plurality of remote computing devices.
 20. The methodof claim 1, wherein the digital data is three to nine seconds of videodigital data.